Some unbutton their shirts to display their gold medallions, while some buy sports cars that should come with a chiropractor, but Brian Carter has eschewed those gaudy mid life crisis trappings in favour of an Oriental persona.
Trained by Suziki San, in Auckland, Carter San has introduced Japanese cuisine to his friends and neighbours at Taupo Bay, who by his account rave about his epicurean feasts.
Not known for his modesty or doing things by half, Brian presents his guests with sushi, miso soup and green tea kitted out in full Japanese chef regalia, complete with flashing knives, when preparing his sashimi morsels, confessing that he missed the lesson where his tutor explained that the Japanese emphasis on presentation applies more to the food and less to his own "glamorous" (but original and authentic) clothing.
He gets A for effort when it comes to setting the scene and impressing his guests, however.
He claimed last week that his friends at Taupo Bay (who were both out when the Age called) were hailing his sushi as the best ever made. There might be some truth in that, given that he's been invited to instruct, demonstrate for and coach members of the Kerikeri Cooking Club in the art he has mastered.
